Homeland Security is an executive federal government department (DHS) designed with the purpose to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, and also respond to natural disasters. The development of a Homeland Security Department ranked in importance as a top priority for the United States following the September 11, 2001 attacks and includes minimizing the damage from natural disasters from the outcome of Hurricane Katrina.

What is the Purpose and Importance of Homeland Security?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has one purpose which is to protect our homeland. The purpose for homeland security and the importance of homeland security are very closely one in the same. Homeland security is a responsibility intended to be shared across our entire Nation by governmental agencies at all levels and by the citizens it protects. The important purpose of homeland security is to be accomplished by the DHS through direction, coordination, and collaboration of the accessible tools available for the on-going successful security of the citizens and government of the United States.

Purpose of Homeland Security Divisions

To accomplish its important purpose, the United States Department of Homeland Security unifies nonmilitary government agencies responsible for issues of importance related to our American security.

• The Border and Transportation Security division, which is the largest division of DHS, includes the Transportation Security Administration, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

• The Emergency Preparedness and Response division, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Strategic National Stockpile and the National Disaster Medical System. oversees disaster preparedness training and coordinates the government response to disasters.

• The Science and Technology division, including the Environmental Measurements Laboratory, is charged with researching and organizing scientific, engineering, and technological resources to protect the homeland, and the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection division analyzes intelligence and information involving threats to homeland security and evaluates vulnerabilities in the national infrastructure.

• In addition to these divisions, DHS also includes the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

(source: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Homeland.html)

Importance of Homeland Security Effective Strategies

From the outcome of the United States’ important homeland security strategies developed the creation of the Department of Homeland Security with the main purpose of protecting us all in every effective way possible through cooperation, communication, technology, preparedness, and training at all levels of society. The importance of developing effective strategies to homeland security challenges is one of the most vital issues our nation must address. With everyone’s commitment and involvement as stakeholders in our nation’s safety, the homeland security of the United States will experience ongoing success.